John Wesley Lauback
Sept. 29, 1929-Sept. 30, 1929

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, September 29, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: Death Infant Lauback

John Wesley Lauback, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lauback, 822 Clay street, born last evening at Pawating hospital, lived until this morning. Mrs. Lauback was formerly Miss Donnabelle Hatfield. The funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock [at] the home of Mrs. Lauback's parents Mr. and Mrs. John Hatfield, 716 Clay street. The Rev. Sumner Young, pastor of the Evangelical church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook Cemetery.

DeMarcus Lamonte Brann, of Niles
Sept. 20, 1968-Dec. 19, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:34 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Sept. 20, 1968 — Dec. 19, 2020

DeMarcus Lamonte Brann, 52, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly at Lakeland Hospital in Niles on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.

DeMarcus was born on Sept. 20, 1968, to James and Georgia M. Brann in Union City, Tennessee. He attended Niles High School and later worked as a delivery driver and install technician for Sleep Number Beds.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Georgia Brann.

DeMarcus is survived by his father, James Brann, of Niles; children, DeMarquis Brann Jr., of Niles, Lanisha (Shawn) Wilson, of South Bend, Eboni Brann, of Indianapolis, DeMarcea Brann, of Indianapolis, Tyla Young, of Niles, Ra’Shaun Robinson, of Niles, and Khaliah Berry, of Houston; four grandchildren; siblings, James “Reggie” Brann, of South Bend, and Trent Brann, of Detroit; and many extended family members and close friends.

Visitation and funeral were held Dec. 28 and Dec. 28, keeping with the current COVID mandates limiting the number of people allowed at a funeral. He was laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles next to his mother.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

Mary Elizabeth Mace, of New Albany, Indiana
Feb. 13, 1932-Dec. 16, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:24 pm Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Mary Elizabeth Mace, 88, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, in New Albany, Indiana.
Mary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and former member of Wesley United Methodist, in Niles. A dedicated member of both churches, Mary sang in the choirs and served on the food committees. Before starting their family Mary and her late husband, Jerry, were married in the First United Methodist Church, in Niles (currently the New Journey United Methodist Church).

Mary Mace

A devoted wife, mother and Cubs fan, Mary was a lady of many talents. She was a lead quilter in a Quilting Guild and held a clerical occupation in healthcare. Later in life, she and Jerry built a successful business out of their garage, that they called Maces Tennis Room.
Mary is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry Mace; son, Michael Mace; parents, Orville and Thelma Stephenson; and brother, Nelson “Bud” (Doralyn) Stephenson.
She is survived by her sons, Tim and Randy Mace; daughter, Mindy (Steve) Mace-Inman; grandchildren, Stephen and Megan Mace, Elizabeth (Weston) Mace-Amick, Carly Inman, Sarah (Chase) Inman-Holland and Jerid Inman.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. with the funeral service at 4 on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, at Scott Funeral Home, 2515 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Burial will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 E. Main St., in Niles.
Contributions can be made to either the First Presbyterian Church, 222 Walnut St., Jeffersonville, IN 47130 or the New Journey United Methodist Church, 302 Cedar St. Niles, MI 49120. Memories of Mary and messages of support for the family can be shared at scottfuneralhome.com.

Sherry Whittaker
March 6 1944-Nov. 26, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:06 am Wednesday, December 2, 2020

March 6, 1944 — Nov. 26, 2020

Sherry began her adventure of life on March 6, 1944, the daughter of the late Howard and Flossie Hamblen of South Bend. 

As a teenager, she worked for the original “Martin” of Martin’s Supermarket and volunteered as a candy striper at South Bend Memorial Hospital. She graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1962 and soon married the love of her life, Lenny Whittaker, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church on Sept. 22, of the same year. They celebrated 57 years together and were reunited Thursday morning, Nov. 26th, 2020, just in time for Thanksgiving dinner with Jesus.

Sherry was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, volunteering at anything involving her boys. She never missed a game or concert and her distinct “cheerleading” could fill any ball park, gymnasium, tennis court or auditorium.

The turning point of her life came in 1975 when she fully trusted in Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and was born again. From that day, every aspect of her life was devoted to sharing and teaching with everyone she met.

She served the city of Niles as deputy city clerk and personnel coordinator; retiring after more than 25 years of service. Sherry was a teacher of God’s Word whether it be at her home Church, Michiana Christian Embassy, in Niles, the Hope Rescue Mission of South Bend or the houses and huts of rural China and Israel.

She is survived by her two sons, Jeff (Doreen) Whittaker, of Niles, Mark Whittaker, of Niles; grandchildren, Kate Reynolds, Kyle Whittaker, Sam (Kaitlin) Whittaker, Jacob (LeighEllen) Whittaker, Sophia Whittaker and Collin and Corinn Whittaker; great-grandchildren, Jack and Jane Reynolds and Felicity Joe Whittaker (with two more on the way); she will also be dearly missed by her dear sister, Sandra Harlan, of Indianapolis; and many more precious relatives and friends.

Even though her feet were small, her shoes will be impossible to fill!

A time of visitation will be on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, at the Michiana Christian Embassy 1922 E. Main St., Niles. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, also at the Michiana Christian Embassy. A private burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. 

In keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines, the state of Michigan requires all in attendance to follow all guidelines including, social distancing, mandatory mask and sanitizing. We appreciate your assistance in helping us to keep everyone healthy in attendance.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sherry’s memory to Michiana Christian Embassy 1922 E. Main St., Niles, MI 49120 or Hope Ministries 432 S. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601.

Photos, condolences, and memories may be left for Sherry’s family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Walter Cutting
Nov. 15, 1831-Jan. 11, 1910

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, January 11, 1910, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

CIVIL WAR VETERAN
Walter Cutting Passes Away at Age of 78

Walter Cutting, a pioneer resident of this section, and a veteran of the Civil War, passed away this morning about one o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Babcock, a mile and a half northwest of Niles.

Mr. Cutting's death followed an illness of about 17 months duration from paralysis and Bright's disease.

Mr. Cutting was born in New York Nov. 15, 1831. He came to Niles when a child and had since resided here.

He enlisted in Niles in Company A. and served his country throughout the war.

Mr. Cutting was a member of Frank Graves Post, G.A. R. and was also a social member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

The deceased was a man of upright character and enjoyed the esteem of a large circle of friends.

Besides Mrs. Babcock, one son, Eben Cutting of South Bend and a sister, Mrs. Lydia Strong of Niles, survives him.

The funeral will be held from Mrs. Babcock's home Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. Trabert of the Baptist church will officiate.

The remains will be lead to rest at Silver Brook cemetery beside his wife who passed away over a quarter of a century ago.

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 13, 1910, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of the late Walter Cutting was held this afternoon from the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Babcock, northeast of Niles, Rev. H.C. Trabert officiating. The remains were brought to Niles for interment at Silver Brook.

Charles J. Dietz, Sr.
Feb. 16, 1939-March 30, 1989

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, March 31, 1989, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Charles J. Dietz Sr., 50, Rt. 2 Box 2397 20th St., Baldwin and formerly of Niles, died Thursday, March 30 at 8:30 a.m. In South Bend (Ind.) Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.

Dietz, who was born Feb. 16, 1939 in Hammond, Ind., served in the United States Army and was a retired truck driver at Lightning Bolt Express in South Bend.  He was also the transportation director at Brandywine high School for 14 years. He married the former Sandra Schulke, June 23, 1978, in Niles. She survives.

Other survivors include his mother, Anna Dietz of Niles; sons Charles Jr. and Robert of Niles, and James, of Mishawaka, Ind.; daughter April Dietz of Niles; stepdaughters Cynthi Hayes and Shelly Ingle of Niles; a stepson Mark Williamson of Mishawaka, Ind.; a sister Lydia Coffelt of Crown Point, Ind.; a half-brother Harold Rish-Mercer of Missouri and six grandchildren.

There will be a graveside memorial service Tuesday, April 4, 1 p.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery where Dietz will be buried following cremation. There will be no visitation prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be given to donor's choice. Arrangements were handled by the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.